Pope Francis Lands in Cuba, Calls for Reconciliation

Pontiff asks for freedom for church to operate; President Raúl Castro praises Francis’ efforts on climate change, income disparity

Pope Francis touched down in Cuba Saturday to begin his historic 10-day tour of Cuba and the United States. The Pope will spend four days in Cuba and then begin a six day tour of major cities in the United States on Tuesday. Photo: Getty

HAVANA, Cuba—Arriving for the first time in Cuba, Pope Francis called Saturday upon President Raúl Castro and the U.S. government to further the process of reconciliation between the two countries while also asking the Cuban government for the means and space for the church to operate.

“We have witnessed an event which filled us with hope: the process of normalizing relations between two peoples following years of estrangement,” the pontiff said under partly cloudy skies.